NIFC certifies 15 new firms to attract over Ksh.26B investments, jobs in Kenya

The newly certified companies operate across sectors including digital finance, artificial intelligence, climate finance, carbon markets, healthcare, investment management, insurance, fintech and capital markets infrastructure.

They include Bupa Global Insurance Limited, Etica Capital Limited, Giraffe Bioenergy Limited, Valor (Valr) Capital Limited, ReportsAI Limited, Afrex Technologies Limited, Onfon Mobile Limited, JPH Investments Limited (Agent for Midsummer Projects Limited), Nairobi Pesa City, Mzizi Court Limited, Uhuru Heights Limited, Zurit Consulting, Assnture Afrique Limited, BoC Technologies Limited and Africa First Exchange (A1X).

NIFC Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mainda said the certifications reflect growing investor interest in Kenya and are expected to channel capital into productive sectors of the economy.

"Every firm we certify is making a deliberate vote of confidence in Kenya's future," Mainda said, adding that the firms would contribute to job creation, innovation and the growth of sustainable investment.

Several of the newly certified firms are developing digital financial services, including cross-border payment solutions, virtual asset infrastructure, tokenised securities and artificial intelligence-powered financial products.

Others are focused on carbon finance and climate-related investments through afforestation, bioenergy and carbon credit projects, sectors that have attracted increasing investor interest as Kenya seeks to expand its green economy.

The certifications come as the NIFC continues efforts to attract international investors and strengthen Nairobi's position as a gateway for capital flows into Africa.

The Authority said it has also expanded partnerships with international financial centres through cooperation agreements with the Qatar Financial Centre, the Astana International Financial Centre and Casablanca Finance City to enhance Kenya's links with global capital markets.

The announcement follows the Cabinet's approval for Kenya to host the Secretariat of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), a move expected to strengthen Nairobi's role in regional financial cooperation.

The NIFC said it has also been working with financial sector regulators, including the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) and the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), to improve regulatory coordination and support the growth of the country's financial services sector.